Triple Loss: The 1894 Tragedy at Johnson Farm
Charles Johnson owned a sprawling farm in the rural Hillside district of Southwick, Massachusetts, just off what is now Charles Johnson Road. Isolated by a half-mile stretch from his nearest neighbor, the Johnson homestead stood in quiet solitude—a typical rural setting of the late 19th century.
On the evening of January 10, 1894, Charles carried a lantern as he made his way to his barn to feed his livestock. As he tossed hay with a pitchfork, he accidentally knocked over the lantern. Within seconds, flames raced through the hay, igniting the barn into a massive blaze.
Charles fought to save what he could, but the fire moved too fast. He was able to rescue only five of his twelve cattle before the barn was consumed. The flames quickly leapt from structure to structure, engulfing every outbuilding and finally overtaking the farmhouse itself.
Inside the house lay the bodies of Charles’s elderly father and mother-in-law, both of whom had passed away earlier that day—one from pneumonia, the other from influenza. Adding to the heartbreak, Charles’s two children, also ill, were inside the home at the time. Before the advancing flames reached the house, all were safely removed, including the deceased. By night’s end, the fire had reduced the Johnson farm to smoldering ash.
With his Hillside farm a total loss, Charles Johnson purchased several parcels of land, including his wife's childhood home, along what is now North Longyard Road in Southwick, where he established and operated a large farm. Around 1923, his grandson opened a small creamery on part of the property—a modest beginning that would grow into the once well-known Pioneer Dairy.
Starting around 1910, Charles began selling off some of his landholdings. However, in 1917, he purchased the 34-acre estate of his next-door neighbor, Hattie Spencer Damon, following her death from pneumonia on January 20.
Charles fell ill around 1924 and passed away two years later, in 1926, at the age of 79. In 1928, what remained of his farm was sold.
If you enjoyed this story, please click the appropriate button below, as this helps gauge the type of content readers like when developing future story ideas.
Your generosity helps pay research expenses for producing content.
Amazon may pay the Southwick Time Machine a small commission for any purchases you make when you access your Amazon account through any of the Amazon links on this page.